A Lover or a Fighter?

“Jim, are you a lover or a fighter?”

A friend posed this well-worn, pop-psychology question to me recently as we discussed a variety of topics, including relationships, the economy, the war in Iran, anti-aging hacks, baseball’s upcoming opening day, etc. Now, I love this man, and he’s been a friend for decades (he’s also the one that asked me about high gas prices last week, and hey, I might need to cut him in on my royalties for all of the inspiration he’s provided), so the question kind of surprised me, because I was sure that he already knew the answer.

Of course, this question isn’t really the binary choice it appears on the surface, although it’s posed that way as a short-cut personality assessment. And in that limited sense, the question does make sense, because one’s answer does reflect different personality traits and approaches to life. To understand the question a bit deeper (after all, this is The Deep Woods), let’s look at a quick definition of the two personality characteristics.

A “lover” is characterized by empathy, care and a nurturing spirit. Lovers are often seen as romantic, supportive and protective of their loved ones. They value relationships and emotional connections, often prioritizing harmony and affection in their interactions.

A “fighter” can be characterized as one who possesses strong determination, courage and a readiness to confront challenges. Fighters are also viewed as goal-oriented and assertive, and willing to stand up for their beliefs and face adversity head-on. Competitive, driven and focused are also traits that apply to the fighter archetype.

Now, if you recognize all of these traits in yourself, I’m not surprised. To a certain extent, we all possess these characteristics, albeit to varying degrees of each. Anecdotally, nearly every really successful person I know has most of the qualities of a fighter, and less of the qualities of a lover. Conversely, some of the very best people I’ve ever known possess much more of the lover characteristics than they do the traditional fighter traits.

So, which one am I? Am I a lover or a fighter?

The answer is I consider myself an amalgamation of both main traits, because I love my life, my values and the world, and because I will fight using every cell in my body to preserve my life, my values and the beautiful world around us.

Think about it: what is more important than loving one’s values, ideas and liberty, and what could ever be more important than fighting off the threats to one’s values, ideas and liberty?

Some 250 years ago, a group of rebels took up arms against the most powerful empire in the world in an epic fight for their values, including their sovereignty and their freedom. The result was the United States of America, an idea I love and that I will always fight to preserve.

I choose to engage in that fight through my writing, and by helping investors achieve more money, because money equals freedom. The more money you have, the more freedom you have.

Others choose to fight for what they love via their daily actions, and in just about every imaginable manner. Indeed, the diversity of ways we all do this is something in and of itself to love, and once again, something to fight for.

The world is objective. The world exists. And the world is knowable and beautiful, if you’re willing to think for yourself. And if you are willing to do what is required to love the world and to fight for it, then you’ve already won.

So, am I a lover or a fighter?

The answer is… “yes.”

Now it’s your turn to provide me with your answer. Are you a lover or a fighter? Send me an email and tell me which, and why. I would love to discover your thoughts.

Finally, I am elated to announce that I have just been confirmed as a speaker at this year’s FreedomFest!

As you likely know, FreedomFest is the brainchild of Mark and Jo Ann Skousen, and I must say it is the very best gathering of free minds in the world today. For four days in July, you get to meet and mingle with some of the brightest minds in the liberty movement. This just doesn’t happen anywhere else, and it’s yet another thing that makes the world beautiful.

If you are a FreedomFest veteran, then you’ve likely been waiting for this announcement. So, beginning today, we are offering a very special discount price to FreedomFest, which takes place July 8-11, at Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas (where it belongs).

The Deep Woods readers can get $100 off the conference price by using promo code EAGLE100.

And, if you are a Jim Woods’ Winners Circle member, you get $200 off the conference price by using that same EAGLE100 code.

For more information on this year’s FreedomFest conference, and to book your attendance, hotel room, etc., just go to the FreedomFest website, or call Hayley at (855) 850-3733 ext. 106.

I look forward to seeing you there!

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Too Long to Hate

She said, life’s too short to worry

She said, life’s too long to wait

And it’s too short not to love everybody

And life is too long to hate

–Todd Snider, “Ballad of the Devil’s Backbone Tavern”

Sometimes a great Americana ballad can deliver deep wisdom sung over a basic I-IV-IV chord progression. That’s what you’ll find in much of the late Todd Snider’s work, as he tells stories with humor, irony, wit and a whole lot of profundities. If you want to smile a bit, and maybe even get a little angry while doing so, I recommend checking out Todd’s work. Requiescat in Pace, brotha.

Wisdom about money, investing and life can be found anywhere. If you have a good quote that you’d like me to share with your fellow readers, send it to me, along with any comments, questions and suggestions you have about my newsletters, seminars or anything else. Click here to ask Jim.

In the name of the best within us,

Jim Woods